SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — In a defensive battle defined by efficiency and key plays down the stretch, the Colorado State Rams remained undefeated by edging the Gonzaga Bulldogs 70-66 in a women’s basketball game Thursday night at a raucous McCarthey Athletic Center.

The Rams improved to 3-0 on the young season, while the Bulldogs suffered their first loss, falling to 2-1.

The game was a tale of offensive execution, with Colorado State making the most of its possessions. The Rams scored 70 points on 67 possessions for an offensive rating of 104.2, while Gonzaga managed 66 points on 69 possessions, an offensive rating of 95.3. The Bulldogs’ 13 turnovers, compared to nine for the Rams, proved costly in the tight contest.

Gonzaga’s Lauren Whittaker, a 6-foot-3 forward from Christchurch, New Zealand, delivered a dominant performance in a losing effort, pouring in a game-high 29 points in just 22 minutes on the floor. Her interior scoring kept the Bulldogs within striking distance throughout the night.

However, Colorado State countered with a more balanced offensive attack. Kloe Froebe, a 5-foot-8 guard from Lincoln, Illinois, led the Rams with 17 points. She was complemented by Hannah Ronsiek of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who added 16 points, and Brooke Carlson of Batavia, Illinois, who chipped in 13 points. Lexus Bargesser from Grass Lake, Michigan, also reached double figures with 12 points.

The Rams established control early by dominating the paint, outscoring Gonzaga 40-30 inside. They also capitalized on Gonzaga’s mistakes, scoring 16 points off turnovers. While Gonzaga held a slight edge from beyond the arc, making eight three-pointers to Colorado State’s six, the Rams’ superior ball movement was evident as they tallied seven assists to the Bulldogs’ four. Defensively, Colorado State was also more active, recording seven steals.

Zeryhia Aokuso of Amarillo, Texas, was a key contributor for Gonzaga with 13 points, and Ines Bettencourt of Sao Miguel, Portugal, dished out three assists.

The contest was a significant result, as statistical models heavily favored the home team. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Gonzaga with a 91.7 percent probability to win, making Colorado State’s victory a notable early-season upset.

The Rams look to continue their winning streak when they host San Diego on Monday. Gonzaga, seeking to rebound, will face a quick turnaround with a home game against Stanford on Sunday.